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My Speaker Isn't Working

  • Updated

Help!! The speaker on my device is not working. What should I do?? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are some simple tricks you can try to solve the problem quickly:

 

iOS

  1. If your device has a Ring/Silent switch, move the switch forward—toward the device's display—so that orange isn't showing. If you're using an iPad, you can also swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and make sure that Silent Mode is off.

     
     

iPhone ring/silent switch

 

2. Open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and make sure that Do Not Disturb is off.

 

Here are some more steps you can try on your own.

  1. Remove all screen protectors, films, or cases from your device. 
  2. Check the speaker opening to see if it's blocked or dirty. On iPhone only, make sure that the receiver isn't blocked or dirty. 
  3. If necessary, clean the speaker or receiver opening with a small, soft-bristled brush. Make sure that the brush is clean and dry.
  4. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Settings > Sounds & Haptics), and drag the Ringer and Alerts slider back and forth a few times. If you don't hear any sound, or if your speaker button on the Ringer and Alerts slider is dimmed, your speaker might need service.
  5. If you hear sound, try making a call with your iPhone and turn on the speakerphone. On iPad or iPod touch, make a FaceTime call. If you still can't hear, or hear static or crackling, then your network or reception could be the issue. Try to call again later, or from a different location.

(Source: Apple Support page)

 

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Samsung

Note: If you use the Fingerprint security feature, the phone will require the backup password to unlock after rebooting.

 

  1. Remove external devices

    • Remove anything plugged into the headphone jack, including selfie sticks, charms, etc.

    • Remove any third-party cases, protective films, skins, adhesives, or any other accessory that usually comes in contact with your phone.

    • Disable Bluetooth by swiping down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings. Tap the Bluetooth icon to turn off Bluetooth.

     

  2. Restart the phone

    • Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds until the Power menu pops up. Tap Power off.

    • On phones without a dedicated power button, swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings. Tap the Power icon at the top of the screen, and then tap Power off.

    • Once the phone shuts down, wait 30 seconds, and then press the Power button to power on your phone.

     

  3. Dry your phone if it has gotten wet

    • Audio problems can occur if there is water in the speaker.
    • If your device has gotten wet, dry it off right away and try to remove as much water as possible. Be sure to pat the earpiece (at the top front of the phone), the primary microphone (at the bottom of the phone), the external speaker (also at the bottom of the phone), and the USB port with a clean, soft cloth.
    • Do not expose the phone to salt water or ionized water. If your phone is exposed to salt water, wash the phone with fresh water, and then dry it thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. Otherwise, when it dries, salt may accumulate and block the primary microphone, earpiece, or external speaker.

  4. Test the speaker

    • Use the Volume keys while playing music to ensure the sound is not muted. If the sound quality is fine, then your speaker is working normally, and one of the external devices you removed was causing the problem.
 
(Source: Samsung Support page)
 
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Pixel Phone
 
If your phone makes intermittent or distorted sounds, try the following steps:
 
1. I can't clearly hear sounds from my phone
If the sound from your phone is intermittent or distorted, try the following steps:

Step 1: Check the strength of your mobile data connection.

  • At the top of your screen, find the mobile signal icon. A filled triangle means that you have a strong signal.
  • If you don’t have a strong connection, find an area with a stronger signal. Try going outside or to another indoor location.
    Tip: To find where your mobile carrier has coverage, go to their website and check their coverage map.
  • If you’re in a crowded area, like a city center, mobile data connections can be slower due to the number of people on the same network.

Step 2: Turn off Bluetooth.

Step 3: Turn the volume up or down. Some music sounds distorted when played loudly.

Step 4: Turn Wi-Fi on or off.

  • If Wi-Fi is on, turn it off, then make a call.
  • If Wi-Fi is off, turn it on, then make a call.

Step 5: If you’re on a video call, turn the video off and back on.

Step 6: If you’re in motion, like in a train or car, wait until you stop before you call.

Step 7: Restart your phone.

  • Press your phone’s power button. On the screen, tap Restart .
  • You can also press your phone’s power button for about 30 seconds to restart your phone.

Step 8: If you’re on a call, turn your speakerphone on, then off. If you can’t hear sound when your speakerphone is on or off.

Step 9: Play 2-3 different songs or videos from different apps, like a recorded video on your phone and a song from a music app.

  • If only some sounds are distorted, those sound files could be broken

 

2. I can't hear sound at all or it’s low volume

If the sound from your phone is low volume, or there’s no sound at all, try the following steps:

Step 1: When you make a call, check that your phone’s top speaker aligns with your ear. Learn where your top speaker is located.

Step 2: Check that your volume is turned up.

Step 3: Check the strength of your mobile data connection.

  • At the top of your screen, find the mobile signal icon. A filled triangle means that you have a strong signal .
  • If you don’t have a strong connection, find an area with a stronger signal. Try going outside or to another indoor location.
    Tip: To find where your mobile carrier has coverage, go to their website and check their coverage map.
  • If you’re in a crowded area, like a city center, mobile data connections can be slower due to the number of people on the same network.
Step 4: Turn off Bluetooth. 

Step 5: Turn Wi-Fi on or off.

  • If Wi-Fi is on, turn it off, then make a call.

  • If Wi-Fi is off, turn it on, then make a call.

Step 6: If you have a screen protector or case, remove it.

Step 7: Close all your apps.

Step 8: Restart your phone.

  • Press your phone’s power button. On the screen, tap Restart .
  • You can also press your phone’s power button for about 30 seconds to restart your phone.
Step 9: If you’re on a video call, turn video off and back on.

Step 10: Check your phone hardware.

  • Check your speakers and microphones. If they're dirty, gently clean with a soft, lint-free cloth. 
  • Check your phone’s USB-C port. If it’s dirty, gently clean with a soft, lint-free cloth.
  • If you’re on a call, turn your speakerphone on, then off. If you can’t hear sound when your speakerphone is on or off.
  • If you plugged in headphones, unplug or disconnect them, then plug back in. If you still can’t hear sound, listen without headphones or try a different pair.

Important: If a “Liquid or debris in USB port” message opens, follow these steps.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Consider a factory reset of your phone. Learn how to perform a factory reset.

 

3. There's too much background noise

This feature is available on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

Important: This feature depends on your call bandwidth and may not be available for all calls.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Sound & vibration and then Clear Calling.
  3. Turn Use Clear Calling on or off.

(Source: Pixel Phone Support page)

 

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Other Android Phones

 

If you can't hear anything, first check the volume isn't muted or turned all the way down. Your Android phone might go silent all of a sudden or while you're on a call or listening to something else. Here are some solutions we've found for why this problem happens and what you can do to fix it.

 

The Causes for a Phone Speaker Not Working

There are several reasons your speaker might not be working:

  • The volume is turned all the way down
  • The mute switch is activated
  • The caller has muted themselves

If your phone is damaged from a drop or water damage, the speakers might be physically broken.

 

Ways to Fix the Speaker or Volume of an Android Device

We've found that following these steps in order will help to uncover the cause of the problem:

  1. Turn on the speaker. If you've placed your phone on the tabletop to use in speaker mode, make sure the speaker is turned on. Otherwise, the sound will only come out of the earpiece, and it won't be able to be easily heard. Usually, there's an icon to tap to turn on the speaker.

     

  2. Turn up the in-call volume. If the speaker is enabled, the volume may be too low. Press the volume up button on your phone. This tends to be on the left side of most phones. Press this button to display the volume level indicator. To increase the volume, press the button or slide the volume indicator to the right until you hear the other person speaking.

     

  3. Adjust the app sound settings. Some apps, like Facebook, allow you to mute the sound separately from the main volume control. Check the app's sound settings if you don't hear sound in one particular application. You might have the sound muted or turned down low in the app.

     

  4. Check the media volume. If you still don't hear anything, verify that the media volume isn’t turned down or off:

    1. Navigate to Settings.
    2. Tap Sounds and vibration.
    3. Tap Volume.
    4. Move the Media slider to the right to increase volume.

     

    Tips: Alternatively, press the volume up or volume down buttons on your device, then tap the down arrow in the upper-right corner of the screen to reveal the sound mixer settings.

     

  5. Make sure Do Not Disturb isn’t enabled. This handy feature could be the culprit for no sound. To disable this setting, navigate to Settings and turn off the Do not Disturb toggle.

     

    Note: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) displays the following options: Total silence, Alarms only, and Priority only.

     

  6. Make sure your headphones aren’t plugged in. Most Android phones automatically disable the external speaker when headphones are plugged in. This could also be the case if your headphones aren’t completely seated in the audio jack.

     

  7. Remove your phone from its case. Some phone holsters or cases may muffle the sound. Test the sound quality without the case. If this is the issue, you'll notice an improvement immediately.

     

  8. Reboot your device. A reboot often clears up any software glitches that may disable the sound. Press and hold the power button until you see options on the screen. Tap Restart to reboot your phone.

     

  9. Turn off your device and turn it back on. If rebooting doesn't do the trick, your phone may have some technical issue that requires you to turn it off and on. Press and hold the power button, and then tap Power off. Test the sound with an app once you power your phone back on.

     

  10. Reinsert the battery. Not all phone models have removable batteries, but if yours does, remove and reinsert the battery to completely reset the phone without wiping your data.

     

  11. Clean the speaker. Speakers get dirty or clogged, so cleaning could make sounds louder. Before you clean the speaker, turn off the phone. Use a can of compressed air to blow quick bursts into the speaker. You'll see some lint and other debris after blowing it out.

     

  12. Reset all settings. Before returning your phone to the store, reset it to its default state. When you reset your phone’s settings to the default, any app or software setting that may have disabled the speaker is eliminated.

 
(Source: LifeWife page)

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